WebNovels

Chapter 15 - Chapter 15: The Flustered Girl

The first day of school rarely involved any real classes. Especially at the start of a new term, it was mostly about giving students time to get to know one another.

Lin Zhi and the two new friends he'd made got along surprisingly well. None of them were particularly talkative, yet they somehow always found interesting topics to discuss. Their chemistry was unexpectedly good.

At the same time, Lin Zhi kept an eye on Nishimiya Shouko.

Perhaps because the Private Integrated High School was a prep school known for its academic rigor, most of the students were well-behaved. Apart from a few who had gotten in through connections, everyone was there on merit, and that kind of student usually wasn't the type to engage in bullying.

The school had strict discipline, and anyone caught causing trouble would be in deep trouble indeed.

Nishimiya Shouko seemed to get along fine with the other girls, especially with Iroha Isshiki around—the kind of girl known as the "social butterfly" and "gossip queen." With her around, laughter was constant.

"Hey, Nozohara, you seem pretty interested in Nishimiya," said Kiryu Kazuto, noticing Lin Zhi's occasional glances.

Even the usually expressionless Saiki Kusuo glanced over, mildly intrigued.

"What are you two thinking?" Lin Zhi sighed, catching their looks.

"Well, let's just say she's had some… difficulties since birth," he explained, shrugging. "She's my neighbor and classmate, so it's only right I look out for her. After all, Japanese schools don't exactly have the best reputation when it comes to bullying."

Kiryu and Saiki followed his gaze—and finally noticed the small hearing aids in Nishimiya's ears.

"Hearing aids?" Saiki murmured, surprised.

"Yeah," Lin Zhi replied. "I heard she got sick as a child, and it left some lasting effects."

The two boys sighed softly, their expressions turning a little gentler as they looked at her.

Seeing this, Lin Zhi quickly added, "Don't show that kind of face around her, alright?"

"Got it," they both nodded.

The bell rang suddenly, its clear chime echoing through the classroom. The teacher, Mr. Ryounoki, stood up from the podium, tugged at his perpetually slipping trousers, and cleared his throat to get everyone's attention.

"Everyone, make sure to preview tomorrow's lessons once you're home. We'll begin proper classes then. Do your best in high school—getting into Tokyo University would be ideal."

Groans and sighs filled the room.

"Tokyo U? That's way too hard to get into."

"I heard fewer than twenty students from our school make it in each year—and most of them are from the international honors class."

"Yeah, no kidding."

Mr. Ryounoki smiled faintly and said encouragingly, "Still, compared to other schools, our numbers aren't bad. You all have a shot if you work hard enough."

"Alright, that's it for today. Those on cleaning duty, please stay behind."

Once the teacher left, chatter immediately filled the room again as students made after-school plans.

"Lin Zhi, we're heading out first," Kiryu and Saiki called, waving as they left with their bags.

Lin Zhi waved back helplessly—he was one of the unlucky few stuck with cleaning duty.

And the other one was—

"Ugh! Just when I could've gone out with my new friends, why did I have to get stuck cleaning with you, Nozohara?" Iroha Isshiki puffed out her cheeks, glaring at him with open displeasure.

Lin Zhi sighed and handed her a broom. "Sorry about that, but let's just get it done. You want to go home early, don't you?"

Iroha blinked at the broom, her eyes darting mischievously. Then, in a soft, sugary voice, she cooed, "Um… Nozohara-kun, I'm not feeling so well today… Could you maybe—"

Before she could even finish, Lin Zhi cut her off flatly.

"Ugh. Gross. Isshiki, can you not act like that for once?"

Iroha froze, then puffed up her cheeks again, glaring at him with bright, indignant eyes. "You're the worst! You really don't understand a girl's heart at all, do you?"

"Heh." Lin Zhi let out a low, mocking chuckle. He swept the floor into a neat pile, scooped it up, and dumped it into the bin before replying casually, "If I didn't understand, I wouldn't have turned you down so fast."

"Eek!!"

Iroha jumped back a few steps, crossing her arms over her chest as if she'd seen something disgusting.

"Nozohara-kun!" she yelped, glaring as if he were some kind of cockroach. "Why did that sound like I was confessing to you just now?! Are you some kind of creepy shut-in or what? So gross!"

Lin Zhi's mouth twitched. Well, you're not wrong about me being a shut-in, he thought. But still, does that hurt you somehow?

He sighed, continuing to sweep while muttering, "Your acting's way too exaggerated. If you want to be a real actress someday, you've got a long way to go."

"And…" He glanced up at her. "Don't think you can slack off and make me clean the whole classroom myself. I'm only doing this half. You handle the rest."

"If you don't want to stay here alone, I suggest you get moving."

"Argh! You—!"

Iroha's face fell instantly. Grinding her teeth, she stomped down from the podium, her little leather boots clacking loudly on the floor. She snatched the broom from him, glaring daggers.

This guy is impossible! she thought furiously. Neither soft nor hard tactics work on him!

"All done on my end," Lin Zhi said after a while, brushing off his hands. "The rest's all yours, Isshiki."

Her eyes went wide, darting to the untouched side of the classroom. Panic crept onto her face.

"Hey! Nozohara Lin Zhi, are you seriously leaving me with all this?! You could at least help a little!"

He turned, adjusting his bag with a faint grin. "Sorry, but no. I respect women too much for that. Equality, right? It'd be rude of me to do your part for you."

With that, he waved cheerfully at her from the doorway.

"See you tomorrow, Isshiki. Do your best!"

He left the room with an easy smile.

What an interesting girl, he thought.

----------

T/N:

Joining is completely free. Come check it out!

You'll also get 5 extra chapters just for being a free member!

Access 35 chapters in advance on my Patreon:

[email protected]//animetraveler

More Chapters